Western Performance & Horsemanship Lessons

Would you like to learn more about western performance with an emphasis on becoming a better horseman at the same time?

Learning is hard.

It involves exploring new ideas and creating new habits.

Finding a coach can also be a challenge.

You need someone who has a teaching style you understand, values you agree with, and achieves results you desire.

…PLUS…

…if you want to show then that person need to also understands how to coach, train and show.

Add to that list finding someone who will encourage you to learn all you can with the horse you currently have…and learn maintain YOUR horse YOURSELF with everything you’ve been taught…and now you face a real challenge.

We think we can help.

If you:

Would like to understand how to train your own horse

Would like to improve your control and communication

Would like to ride in a group of people with similar goals

Would like instruction on specific reining maneuvers

Would like to improve your scores at the shows

…keep reading.

What to expect:

Jesse has a wide range of experience in the horse industry, enjoys teaching and is a horseman first and foremost. What this means is that he will encourage you to grow and challenge yourself but not at the expense of your horse. Your horses’ physical well-being and mental understanding will largely impact your lessons and your long term success.

A true horseman understands that the key to success is the horse being an active participant in the learning process. During your lessons your goal may be to improve your score in the show pen….but don’t be surprised if you are asked to improve your groundwork or return to the fundamentals. Attempting to polish a maneuver for the show pen when there are problems in the foundation work is like adding another layer of paint to a house with cracks in the walls because of a crumbling foundation.

Jesse Westfall- NRHA Trainer, Coach, Judge

Jesse has a passion for reining and western performance horses.

He has judged in the US, Canada and Australia and his knowledge of the sport from both the training and judging angle give him an advantage when coaching.

Jesse still enjoys introducing horses and riders to the sport and educating them as they begin and continue to advance.

Jesse takes pride in breeding and training reining horses that have both success and longevity in and out of the show pen. He has bred, trained and coached horses and riders that have won at local, regional and national levels while still insisting that the horses should be treated fairly and shown to the level they are capable of.

“I have ridden with Jesse for about 10 years. He is one of the kindest, most patient people that I know. His background of training, coaching and judging has provided a well rounded learning experience for me. He has not only helped me achieve success in the show pen, but he has also patiently walked me and my horses through the learning process together, helping us become a better team in and out of the show pen. I have a better understanding and appreciation for my horses and look forward to continuing this rewarding journey with Jesse’s help.” -Molly Wagner

“Jesse gave our son an incredible foundation in his early years of his riding, and created a foundation that he has continued to use throughout his riding career and also helped take him to the winners circle. Jesse is a natural born teacher.”-Julie Chilcote

“I first met and rode with Jesse ~2005, and instantly appreciated his character, horsemanship, and ability to teach people.
Being a top-notch trainer, Jesse will quickly identify what is needed and will explain things in a way that’s easy to understand. He will teach you how the horse thinks, acts, moves…..so not only will you improve you and your horse’s performance, but you’ll understand WHY things work and be able to apply it to other areas. I HIGHLY recommend taking lessons from Jesse!!”-Mikelann McCarty

Your choice: Group or Private

Private Lessons

During private lessons with Jesse you will receive one-on-one instruction. Jesse will provide you with a headset to wear during your lesson so that he can communicate clearly with you no matter where you are in the arena. The headset is a two way system that allows both student and teacher to talk at any distance. Riders find this especially helpful when working on maneuvers that involve speed where the student often must get a review from the instructor after the fact because they were unable to clearly hear the instructor doing the maneuver.

You may come with a specific goal in mind or you may come ride and let Jesse chart the course of the lesson. The better you can clearly identify your goals for your horse and yourself for the next several months the more targeted your lessons can become.

One hours lessons available Monday, Tuesday, Friday or Saturday. $50 per one hour private lesson.

9-10

10:30-11:30

1-2

2:30-3:30

4-5:30

If these hours don’t fit your schedule please call, text or email to discuss what would work best for you.

Use this form to email or text/call Jesse directly at 419-560-0380

Name

Email Address

Message

7 + 8 =

Group Lessons

These group training sessions take into consideration that the riders often learn both from directly received instruction as well as being able to watch and ask questions.

During the sessions, Jesse will focus on improving the riders understanding of reining maneuvers in three ways; the training of maneuvers, improving in the show pen and what things look like from the judges view.

Horses, like humans, have physical limits that we must respect. During these lessons Jesse will challenge you to work on specific maneuvers such as circles, spins, stops, rollback, etc. After your turn he will also instruct you to give your horse a break while watching another rider receive instruction.

Dismounting is always an option during this time. The fitness level of your horse will determine how much riding you do at each lesson.

These lessons are focused on the sport of reining. We may recommend other exercises that we cover during our clinics but all horses attending should be currently showing or preparing to show. There is also the opportunity to review reining runs by watching videos and receiving feedback on how the run could be improved.

Come prepared to learn and have fun!

Format: Four riders accepted during a three hour time period. $50 per rider

Frequently scheduled from 4pm-7pm

Currently collecting information on riders who are interested in group lessons. If you have a group or are interested in joining a group please contact us and let tell us your interest.

Use this form to email or text/call Jesse directly at 419-560-0380

Name

Email Address

Message

12 + 15 =

One hours lessons available Monday, Tuesday, Friday or Saturday. $50 per one hour private lesson. Group lessons available, ask for more details.

9-10

10:30-11:30

1-2

2:30-3:30

4-5:30 (sometimes blocked by group lesson)

6-7 (sometimes blocked by group lesson)

If these hours don’t fit your schedule please call, text or email to discuss what would work best for you.

FAQ:

Where are they held?

At the Westfall’s personal residence, 998 County Road 3275, Perrysville, Ohio 44864. Be sure to have accurate directions to the house before you get close…the cell service in the area is terrible. Click here for directions.

What is auditing?

Auditing is when you come and watch others as they are coached. It is a great way to decide if you would like to participate in a future clinic. By observing you can decide;

if you enjoy the teaching style of the instructor

if you agree or disagree with the methods being taught

the ability to learn techniques and theories when your horse is not yet ready to participate

it is a great technique for those who learn by watching or writing as note taking is encouraged!

How can horses and riders of varying levels all ride together at the same time?

The key to making this work is everyone having similar goals and keeping the group size small. Everyone coming is focused on reining and the group is limited to six riders during the three hour time period. Lets compare this to a one hour private lesson.

During a one hour private lesson you would be asked to ride your horse during a warm up period. During this time the instructor would look for any major problems: lameness, unwillingness from the horse, habits of rider, etc. Next the instructor would likely have you start with circles or spins both of which test your horses willingness to guide…which is the foundation of reining. Then your horse would need a recovery period. If you came in with specific questions about a manuver such as spins, lead changes or stops these would be brought up at this time. Lets pretend your question was about stops. That would be your focus. Depending on how ‘in-shape’ your horse was, your instructor may ask to see a set of spins each way but would conserve your horses energy for your main focus…stops. During this lesson you many not cover lead changes, or roll backs at all. Or you may chose to touch on each area but not focus on any one in particular.

The reason this is always true is that NO HORSE can practice every manuver to its full potential everyday. Asking a horse to intensly practice spins left and right, circles left and right, lead changes left and right, sliding stops on the right and left lead…sometimes followed by roll backs left and right or sometimes followed by backing up….is not physically possible.

During these mini clinics Jesse will cover all requested manuvers. You are allowed to arrive 30 minutes prior to the start time (starting at 4, you may arrive at 3:30) to warm up your horse. If this is your first time with us please be sure to fill out your release of liability form. Jesse will be watching you during the warm up. This is also great time to approach Jesse and let him know if you have an area of focus or if you are open to addressing issues as you work through the individual manuvers. Often it is the horse that chooses the area of focus and then the horses fitess level that determines how much training he can receive at one time.

You should always ask the question you most want answered before the ride begins.

When the teaching starts you will be asked to demonstrate your lead departure, circles and guiding. There will be an area for those directly being coached as well as an area for others to stand and watch. Circles and steering take the longest but they are the foundation of reining. If you can’t get from point A to point B without loosing points…you are in the hole before you begin. Spins are an extention of, and a refinment of, steering. Lead changes are an extention of steering and the approach to the sliding stop is also steering.

Jesse will be connected to a sound system so everyone can hear. He will also take time to answer your questions either between riders or at the end of the lesson. As an added bonus, if Stacy is in town, she will be hanging out answering questions too!

Can I ride just once or do I need to sign up for all of the Saturdays?

You can ride just once…but we encourage you to become a regular! It is fun to be part of a group of people who all have the same goal and by returning you can not only see the improvement in your riding and your horse but in others as well.

Can I receive coaching at a horse show?

Yes! If you have ridden with Jesse in a lesson you are elegible! Jesse is available to coach at the CORHA reining shows in Findlay, Ohio July 6-9 and August 3-6th, 2017 and possibly at other shows by request. His rate is $50.00 per day for his instruction and coaching at the show.

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